CHIMERIC ANTIGEN RECEPTOR WITH CYTOKINE RECEPTOR ACTIVATING OR BLOCKING DOMAIN

Abstract

 The present invention provides a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR), comprising an extracellular part, at least one intracellular signaling domain, and at least one transmembrane domain, wherein the extracellular part of said CAR comprises a) at least one antigen binding domain, and b) at least one cytokine receptor activating or blocking domain. The invention also provides isolated nucleic acid molecule(s) encoding for the said CAR, a cell comprising said nucleic acid molecule(s), a cell expressing said CAR and therapeutic uses of said CAR.

Description

Field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of chimeric antigen receptors, in particular to chimeric antigen receptors comprising at least one antigen binding domain, at least one cytokine receptor activating or blocking domain, a facultative extracellular spacer domain linked to a transmembrane and a intracellular signaling domain, to cells expressing the same, and to therapeutic uses thereof.

Background of the invention

[0002] The treatment of malignant diseases by adoptive cell therapy is gaining major interest, based on the general assumption that the immune system can control cancer in the long-term. Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) isolated from tumor lesions, expanded ex vivo, and re-infused to the patient have produced encouraging results in the therapy of metastatic melanoma. As the specificity of those T cells is frequently not known and TILs can often not be isolated to sufficient numbers from other tumor entities, strategies were elaborated to engraft patients' T cells ex vivo with predefined specificity for cancer cells, by engineering with a T cell receptor (TCR) or a recombinant chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) ('T-body'). In contrast to the TCR, the CAR is composed of one polypeptide chain with an extracellular antigen-binding domain derived from an antibody, mostly a single-chain fragment of variable region (scFv) antibody, and an intracellular signaling chain, frequently the TCR-derived CD3zeta chain. The antibody domain mediates target recognition independently of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) and enables the targeting of a plethora of antigens, including proteins, carbohydrates and gangliosides, as long as the antigen is present on the surface of the target cell. Antigen engagement by the CAR induces synapse formation and downstream signaling through the cascade of TCR-associated kinases, finally producing increased cytokine secretion, T cell amplification, and cytotoxicity. Modification of the CAR structure and in particular of the individual CAR domains to optimize redirected T cell function has long been an aspect of preclinical research. Second-generation CARs were engineered by adding a co-stimulatory domain to the basic CD3zeta signaling chain to boost the response and to prolong T cell persistence; third generation CARs harbor two co-stimulatory domains to fine-tune the redirected T cell response.

[0003] In US7,514,537B2 chimeric transmembrane immunoreceptors, named "zetakines" are disclosed. They are comprised of an extracellular domain comprising a soluble receptor ligand, e.g. a cytokine, linked to a support region capable of tethering the extracellular domain to a cell surface, a transmembrane region and an intracellular signaling domain. Zetakines, when expressed on the surface of T lymphocytes, direct T cell activity to those specific cells expressing a receptor for which the soluble receptor ligand is specific as the soluble receptor ligand is identical with the antigen binding domain of the chimeric transmembrane immunoreceptor. A zetakine does not affect the homeostatic milieu of cytokines in a patient to which it might be applied.

[0004] Despite remarkable success in the treatment of hematologic malignancies, the T-body strategy is facing a number of limitations when targeting solid tumor lesions; some of them represent a more general limitation of antigen-redirected strategies. As the disease progresses, cancer cells gain considerable variability in phenotype and function, resulting in antigen-loss tumor cell variants that are invisible to CAR or TCR modified T-cells. In addition, several other mechanisms add to the reduction in the anti-tumor efficacy of specific T-cells, for instance, increasing resistance to a cytolytic T cell attack due to defects in the apoptosis pathway, a stroma, which is less penetrable to T cells and a milieu, which actively represses immune cell activation by various means, including regulatory T (Treg) cells, myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), and macrophages. These and other factors facilitate tumor relapse, despite high numbers of circulating tumor-specific T cells. A number of efforts are currently being made to overcome these limitations, for instance, by the optimization of target binding, improving T cell survival, and providing a favorable homeostatic milieu. A recently described strategy addresses the elimination of antigen-loss cancer cell variants in addition to the mentioned drawbacks by using CAR-engineered T cells as production facilities, which release a transgenic cytokine into the targeted tumor tissue to recruit additional immune cells for the fight against those cancer cells that are invisible to CAR T cells (Chmielewski et al, Immunological Reviews 2014, Vol. 257: 83-90).

[0005] TRUCKs (T cells redirected for universal cytokine killing) are CAR-redirected T cells used as vehicles to produce and release a transgenic product that accumulates in the targeted tissue. The product, mostly a pro-inflammatory cytokine, may be constitutively produced or induced once the T cell is activated by the CAR in the targeted tissue. The accumulation of a transgenic pro-inflammatory cytokine is aimed at recruiting a second wave of immune cells in a local restricted fashion to initiate an attack toward those cancer cells which are invisible to CAR T cells. Other producer cells than T cells, like NK cells, may also be used as CAR-redirected vehicles producing a payload upon CAR activation in the targeted tissue. The feasibility of the TRUCK strategy was recently demonstrated by the local accumulation of IL-12, which cannot be systemically given in therapeutic doses due to the extraordinary IL-12 toxicity. T cells redirected by a tumor-targeting CAR and additionally engineered with a CAR-inducible IL-12 (iIL-12) cassette secrete IL-12 upon CAR engagement of cognate antigen (Chmielewski Cancer Res 2011;71:5697-5706); without CAR signaling, no IL-12 release occurred.

[0006] TRUCK mediated release of IL-12 is locally restricted, however, at risk of accumulating IL-12 in an "off-tumor" environment.

[0007] Interleukin 12 (IL-12) is an interleukin that is naturally produced by dendritic cells, macrophages, neutrophils, and human B-lymphoblastoid cells (NC-37) in response to antigenic stimulation.

[0008] It is a heterodimeric cytokine encoded by two separate genes, IL-12A (p35) and IL-12B (p40). The active heterodimer (referred to as 'p70'), and a homodimer of p40 are formed following protein synthesis. IL-12 is involved in the differentiation of naive T cells into Th1 cells. It is known as a T cell-stimulating factor, which can stimulate the growth and function of T cells. It stimulates the production of interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) from T cells and natural killer (NK) cells, and reduces IL-4 mediated suppression of IFN-γ. IL-12 plays an important role in the activities of natural killer cells and T lymphocytes. IL-12 mediates enhancement of the cytotoxic activity of NK cells and CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes.

[0009] IL-12 binds to the IL-12 receptor, which is a heterodimeric receptor formed by IL-12R-β1 and IL-12R-β2. IL-12R-β2 is considered to play a key role in IL-12 function, since it is found on activated T cells.

[0010] There is a need in the art for an improved CAR, especially for a CAR which can interact controllably with the cytokine receptor - cytokine system in a subject, when the CAR is expressed on immune cells.

Summary of the invention

[0011] The present invention provides a CAR which harbors at least one cytokine receptor activating or blocking domain, e.g. at least one cytokine of interest, as an additional module in the extracellular part of the CAR. The CAR as disclosed herein is a trans-activating CAR. The trans-activating CAR, when expressed on the surface of white blood cells (immune cells) direct trans-activity of those cells against target cells expressing the antigen which is recognized by said at least one antigen binding domain of the trans-activating CAR.

[0012] Trans-activity means the characteristics of the CAR of the invention, that the CAR of the invention comprises at least one domain, i.e. the cytokine receptor activating or blocking domain, that, when expressed on the surface of white blood cells, triggers an activity on the target cell, on the white blood cell expressing said CAR or on another cell, wherein said triggered activity is independent from the binding of the antigen of the target cell by the antigen binding domain of said CAR. Said triggered activity may be the activation of a cytokine receptor resulting for example in a release of the given cytokine (when said domain is a cytokine receptor activating domain) or may be the blocking of a cytokine receptor resulting for example in a decrease or inhibition of the release of a given cytokine (when said domain is a cytokine receptor blocking domain).

[0013] Surprisingly it was found that a cytokine receptor activating domain such as the single chain p34-p40 IL-12 (a recombinant variant of the IL-12) which is integrated into the extracellular part of a CAR can interact and activate the matching cytokine receptor. For example, IL-12 or a functional fragment thereof integrated into the extracellular part of a CAR activates the IL-12 receptor of the immune effector cell, e.g. T cells expressing said CAR, resulting in a synergistic T cell activation upon CAR engagement of target, e.g., indicated by the increase in the IFN-γ release. The CAR containing cell (hereafter "CAR-cell") attack benefits from the cytokine mediated signaling with respect to a prolonged and improved immune response and persistence in the targeted tumor tissue. IL-12 initiates and promotes a number of functions including the activation of T cells, NK cells, myeloid derived cells, promotion of T helper-1 polarization and reversion of T helper-2 polarization, improvement of MHC class I presentation, increase in chemokine secretion like IP-10 and MIG, altering the extracellular matrix and decrease in angiogenesis.

[0014] The IL-12 p40 homodimer is an example for a cytokine receptor blocking domain of the CAR as disclosed herein.

[0015] The invention also provides isolated nucleic acid molecule(s) encoding for the said CAR, a cell comprising said nucleic acid molecule(s), a cell expressing said CAR and therapeutic uses of said CAR.

Brief description of the drawings

[0016] 

FIG 1: Expression cassettes of CAR T cells.

(A) Expression cassette of conventional 2^nd generation anti-CEA CAR.

(B) Expression cassette of the hybrid CAR with the CEA antigen binding domain and the IL-12 receptor activating domain (anti-CEA-IL12-CAR).

FIG 2: Expression of CARs in peripheral blood T cells.
T cells of peripheral blood were transduced to express a conventional 2nd generation anti-CEA CAR or the hybrid anti-CEA-IL12-CAR, respectively. CARs were detected on the cell surface by two-color flow cytometry utilizing an anti-human IgG and anti-CD3 antibody, respectively.

FIG 3: Anti-CEA-IL12-CAR is expressed in different T cell subsets.
T cells of peripheral blood were transduced to express a conventional 2nd generation anti-CEA-CAR or the hybrid anti-CEA-IL12-CAR, respectively. CAR expression in CD4+ and CD8+ T cells was recorded by three-color flow cytometry utilizing anti-human IgG and anti-CD4 and anti-CD8 antibodies, respectively. CD4+ and CD8+ T cells were gated and the number of CAR+ cells on T cell subsets was determined.

FIG 4: Anti-CEA-IL12-CAR induces CD56+CD62L+ T cells.
Anti-CEA-CAR T cells, anti-CEA-IL12-CAR T cells and non-transduced T cells, respectively, were cultivated for 9 d after transduction in presence of IL2 (500U/ml) and analyzed for CD56 and CD62L expression by multi-color flow cytometry. Data represent dot blots of a typical experiment.

FIG 5: Enhanced IFN-gamma secretion by combined cis and trans signaling of the hybrid anti-CEA-IL12-CAR.
CAR T cells (0.313-2.5 x 10(4)/well) were co-cultivated for 48 h with CEA+ LS174T, CEA-Colo320 tumor cells (each 2.5 x 10(4)/well) and without target cells, respectively. After 48 h, supernatants were removed and tested for IFN-gamma secretion by ELISA. Data represent mean of triplicates +- standard deviation (SD).

FIG 6: CAR-mediated target cell lysis.
CAR T cells (0.313-2.5 x 10(4)/well) were co-cultivated for 48 h with CEA+ LS174T or Skov3 tumor cells and for control with CEA- Colo320 tumor cells (each 2.5 x 10(4)/well), respectively. After 48 h target cell viability was determined by a colorimetric tetrazolium-salt based XTT assay. Cytotoxicity was calculated by 100-viability [%]. Data represent mean of triplicates +-standard deviation (SD).

FIG 7: Hybrid anti-CEA-IL12-CAR is superior to conventional anti-CEA-CAR with combined stimulation by CAR and exogenous IL12.
Conventional CAR T cells were cultivated in presence of IL2 (500 U/ml) or conditioned for 72h in presence of the CAR-specific anti-idiotypic antibody BW2064 (4 µg/ml) and exogenous mIL12 (5 ng/nml) and IL2 (500 U/ml). Conditioned and non-conditioned CAR T cells (2.5 x 10(4)/well) and anti-CEA-IL12-CAR T cells were co-cultivated for 48 h with CEA+ LS174T or Skov3 tumor cells and for control with CEA- Colo320 tumor cells (each 2.5 x 10(4)/well), respectively). After 48 h target cell viability was determined by a colorimetric tetrazolium-salt based XTT assay. Cytotoxicity was calculated by 100-viability [%]. Data represent mean of triplicates +- standard deviation (SD).

FIG 8: Combined stimulation by exogenous IL2 and IL12 has no impact on target cell lysis of hybrid anti-CEA-IL12-CAR and conventional anti-CEA-CAR, respectively.
Non-transduced and CAR T cells (2.5 x 10(4)/well) were co-cultivated for 48 h with CEA+ Skov3 tumor cells (2.5 x 10(4)/well) in presence of mIL12 (5 ng/ml) or IL2 (10-1000 U/ml) or a combination of both, respectively). After 48 h target cell viability was determined by a colorimetric tetrazolium-salt based XTT assay. Cytotoxicity was calculated by 100-viability [%]. Data represent mean of triplicates +- standard deviation (SD).

FIG 9: Anti-CEA-CAR T cells inhibit growth of Skov3 tumors in immune deficient Rag -/common gamma -/- mice.
Rag -/- common gamma -/- mice were subcutaneously grafted with Skov3 tumor cells (5x10(6)/mouse; 6 animals/group). After establishment of tumors mice received a single intravenous dose of non-transduced or CAR T cells (1x10(7)/mous The number of CAR T cells was 14% (anti-CEA-CAR) and 9% (anti-CEA-IL12-CAR), respectively. Data represent mean values. The arrow indicates time of T cell injection.

Detailed description of the invention

[0017] In a first aspect the invention provides a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR), comprising an extracellular part, at least one intracellular signaling domain, and at least one transmembrane domain, wherein the extracellular part of said CAR comprises

a) at least one antigen binding domain, and

b) at least one cytokine receptor activating or blocking domain.

[0018] The at least one intracellular signaling domain may comprise at least one co-stimulatory domain and/or at least one primary signaling domain.

[0019] The CAR may comprise, from the N-terminus to the C-terminus the extracellular part comprising at least one antigen binding domain and at least one cytokine receptor activating or blocking domain, the transmembrane domain, and the at least one intracellular signaling domain. The CAR may also comprise two or more members of polypeptides which together work as functional active CAR (e.g., switch-on CAR, switch-off CAR, conditionally active CAR, regulatable CAR, controllable CAR, multi-chain CAR), e.g. a first polypeptide comprising at least one antigen binding domain, at least one cytokine receptor activating or blocking domain, a first member of a dimerization pair, and a transmembrane domain; and a second polypeptide comprising a second member of a dimerization pair, and at least one intracellular signaling domain (for the key signaling of the active CAR), and optionally a transmembrane domain, wherein the CAR is activated upon dimerization by a dimerizer recognizing the members of the dimerization pair. Such CAR constructs with split key signaling and recognition modules are disclosed e.g. in WO2014/127261A WO2015017214A1, WO2015090229A1, WO201514266 and WO2015150771A1.

[0020] In one embodiment of the invention said at least one cytokine receptor activating or blocking domain of said CAR activates or blocks the interleukin 12 receptor.

[0021] The interleukin 12 receptor may be activated or blocked/inhibited by any molecule or peptide sequence which can interact with and thereby activates or blocks/inhibits said receptor. Preferentially, said at least one cytokine receptor activating domain is the cytokine IL-12 or a functional fragment thereof, more preferentially, said at least one cytokine receptor activating domain is the single chain p35-p40 IL-12, or an amino acid sequence with 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% or 99% identity thereof.

[0022] In one embodiment of the invention said at least one cytokine receptor activating domain comprises the sequence encoded by SEQ ID NO:1 or a sequence with 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% or 99% identity thereof.

[0023] In one embodiment of the invention said at least one cytokine receptor activating or blocking domain is between the at least one antigen binding domain and the at least one transmembrane domain of said CAR. In another embodiment said at least one cytokine receptor activating or blocking domain is flanked by linker domains, e.g. the IgG1 hinge.

[0024] The activation of the IL-12 receptor results in the increased release of IFN-γ and other improved effector functions well-known to the skilled person by the cell harboring said receptor.

[0025] In one embodiment of the invention said at least one antigen binding domain comprises at least one single chain variable fragment of an antibody that binds to the antigen, or at least one heavy or light chain variable region of an antibody that binds to the antigen.

[0026] In one embodiment of the invention the at least one antigen of said at least antigen binding domain is a tumor-specific antigen or tumor-associated antigen.

[0027] In one embodiment of the invention the at least antigen of said at least one antigen binding domain is carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA).

[0028] In one embodiment of the invention said antigen binding domain comprises an anti-CEA scFV antigen binding domain, or an amino acid sequence with 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% or 99% identity thereof.

[0029] In one embodiment of the invention said intracellular signaling domain comprises a CD3 zeta signaling domain.

[0030] In one embodiment of the invention said at least one co-stimulatory domain comprises a functional signaling domain of OX40, CD70, CD27, CD28, CD5, ICAM-1, LFA-1 (CD11a/CD18), ICOS (CD278), DAP10, DAP 12, and 4-1BB (CD137), or a combination thereof.

[0031] In one embodiment of the invention said CAR comprises the amino acid sequence encoded by SEQ ID NO:2, or an amino acid sequence with 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% or 99% identity thereof.

[0032] In one embodiment of the invention said CAR is for use in immunotherapy, i.e. for use of treatment of a disease in a subject.

[0033] In one embodiment of the invention said CAR is for use of treatment of cancer in a subject.

[0034] The cancer includes, inter alia, hematological malignancies such as leukemia (e.g., chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL), or chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), lymphoma (e.g., mantle cell lymphoma, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma or Hodgkin's lymphoma) or multiple myeloma, or solid cancer like carcinoma of the gastrointestinal tract, mammary gland, ovary, prostate, liver, lung, kidney, or a combination thereof.

[0035] In one embodiment of the invention said CAR is for use of treatment of autoimmune diseases, chronic inflammation and/or infection.

[0036] In one aspect the invention provides one or more isolated nucleic acid molecule(s) wherein said nucleic acid molecule(s) encode(s) for a CAR, comprising an extracellular part, at least one intracellular signaling domain, and at least one transmembrane domain, wherein the extracellular part of said CAR comprises

a) at least one antigen binding domain, and

b) at least one cytokine receptor activating or blocking domain.

[0037] The nucleic acids molecule(s) may be constructed so that they encode at least all embodiments of the CARs disclosed herein. There may be a contiguous nucleic acid molecule when all domains of the CAR encoded by said molecule are within one polypeptide. Alternatively, there may be two or more nucleic acid molecules e.g. when some domains of the CAR encoded by said molecules are on separate polypeptides.

[0038] In one embodiment of the invention, the nucleic acid molecule(s) encoding the disclosed CARs may be contained in a vector, such as a viral vector. The vector(s) may be DNA vector(s), RNA vector(s), plasmid vector(s), cosmid vector(s), herpes virus vector(s), measles virus vector(s), lentivirus vector(s), adenoviral vector(s), or retrovirus vector(s), or combination(s) thereof.

[0039] In certain embodiments of the invention, the vector(s) further comprise(s) a promoter wherein the promoter is an inducible promoter, a tissue specific promoter, a constitutive promoter, a suicide promoter or any combination thereof.

[0040] In a further embodiment, the vector(s) expressing the CAR may be further modified to include operative elements to control the expression of CAR cells, or to eliminate CAR cells via a suicide switch (e.g. an apoptosis inducing signaling cascade or a drug that induces cell death).

[0041] In another aspect the invention provides a cell comprising one or more isolated nucleic acid molecule(s) wherein said nucleic acid molecule(s) encode(s) for a CAR, comprising an extracellular part, at least one intracellular signaling domain, and at least one transmembrane domain, wherein the extracellular part of said CAR comprises

a) at least one antigen binding domain, and

b) at least one cytokine receptor activating or blocking domain.

[0042] Said cell may be an immune cell.

[0043] Preferentially said cell is a NK cell or T cell, in particular a CD4+ or CD8+ T cell.

[0044] In further aspect the invention provides a cell expressing a CAR, comprising an extracellular part, at least one intracellular signaling domain, and at least one transmembrane domain, wherein the extracellular part of said CAR comprises

a) at least one antigen binding domain, and

b) at least one cytokine receptor activating or blocking domain.

[0045] Said cell may be an immune cell.

[0046] Preferentially said cell is a NK cell or T cell, in particular a CD4+ or CD8+ T cell.

[0047] In one aspect the invention provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising a population of cells (a cell composition) expressing a CAR comprising an extracellular part, at least one intracellular signaling domain, and at least one transmembrane domain, wherein the extracellular part of said CAR comprises

a) at least one antigen binding domain, and

b) at least one cytokine receptor activating or blocking domain.

[0048] Said population of cells may be immune effector cells.

[0049] Preferentially said population of cells is a population of NK cells and T cells, in particular CD4+ or CD8+ T cell.

[0050] Said pharmaceutical composition may comprise an anti-tumor effective amount of a population of said cells.

[0051] Said pharmaceutical composition may also comprise a pharmaceutical acceptable carrier.

[0052] In one aspect the invention provides a method for treating or preventing a disease in a subject, e.g. cancer, autoimmune diseases, chronic inflammation or infection by administering to the subject the nucleic acid molecule(s) encoding the CAR or cells expressing the CAR of the invention.

[0053] Adoptive cell therapy uses immune cell-based, preferentially T cell-based, cytotoxic responses to attack diseased cells, e.g. cancer cells. Immune cells, preferentially T cells, with a natural or genetically engineered reactivity to a patient's cancer are engineered in vitro with the CAR of invention and transferred to the cancer patient. The CAR provides the targeting specificity for cancer. The CAR of the invention can be engineered to comprise an extracellular part comprising an antigen binding domain and a cytokine receptor activating or blocking domain, a transmembrane domain, and an intracellular signaling domain, frequently, e.g. CD3 zeta. The key signaling and antigen recognition modules may be either on one or two (or even more) polypeptides. Splitting the signaling and antigen recognition modules enables for a small molecule-dependent, titratable and reversible control over CAR cell expression (Wu et al, 2015, Science 350: 293-303) due to small molecule-dependent heterodimerizing domains in each polypeptide of the CAR.

[0054] Engineered immune cells, preferentially T cells of the invention express a CAR of the invention which is able to recognize and subsequent active or block a cytokine receptor on the same cell or on adjacent other immune cells or on the target cells due to the integration of a cytokine receptor activating or blocking domain into the CAR. The CAR construct of the invention has the effect to locally bind to and activate or block cytokine receptors in addition to binding of the antigen binding domain of the CAR to the antigen of the target cell, wherein mostly the antigen is a tumor associated antigen. The activation of the cytokine receptor by the cytokine receptor activating domain results for example in an altered release of immune modulating substances from the cell into the locally restricted environment. Exemplary, binding to a IL-12 receptor by a CAR-cell harboring an IL-12 receptor activating domain results in an increase of IFN-γ release to said locally restricted environment. The CAR cell attack then benefits from the increasing IFN-γ release with improved cancer cell killing and tumor elimination. Simultaneously severe side effects due to IL-12 mediated toxicity are avoided since no soluble IL-12 is released into the environment.

[0055] Exemplary the concept of the invention is shown with a CEA-CAR, i.e. a CAR which has an antigen binding domain against carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA, CD66e) and a IL-12 sequence as cytokine activating domain (see FIG 1B). But no limitation to said CAR harboring said antigen binding domain and said cytokine receptor activating domain is intended as the concept can be transferred to other CARs harboring other antigen binding domains and other cytokine receptor activating or blocking domains.

[0056] The CAR with the CEA antigen binding domain and the IL-12 receptor activating domain (hereafter "CEA-CAR with IL-12 module" or "anti-CEA-IL12-CAR") redirects T cells in a specific fashion as indicated by specific killing (FIG 6) and IFN-gamma release (FIG 5) upon incubation with CEA⁺ cancer cells but not with CEA^- cancer cells.

[0057] Some cancer cells suppress the T cell activation by various means with the result that the T cell anti-tumor response is not successful. This is also the case for TCR or CAR redirected T cells. Using a CEA-CAR with IL-12 module for targeting, engineered T cells are successfully activated and mediate a productive anti-cancer cell response which is not obtained with T cells with the CEA specific CAR without IL-12 module. SKOV-3 cells are ovarian adenocarcinoma cells which are frequently used as a model for cancer induced inhibition of IL-2 dependent signaling pathways in T cells. SKOV-3 cells suppress the induction of the IL-1receptor β- and γ-chains, the signaling through the JAK-STAT5 pathway, reduce the IFN-γ and increase the IL-10 levels and inhibit the cell cycle by G0/G1 arrest. Consequently, in a long-term assay, killing by CAR T cells is poor compared to killing of other cancer cell lines by the same CAR T cells. However, the specific killing of SKOV-3 cells is substantially improved upon adding the IL-12 module into the CAR compared to the killing by CAR T cells which lack the IL-12 module (FIG 6).

[0058] A number of mouse models indicate that CEA target antigen recognition and specific T cell activation is mediated by the CEA specific CAR in vivo. Therefore it is expected that the same binding and activation occurs through the CEA-CAR with the IL-12 module. Moreover, any other cytokine receptor activating or blocking domain likely acts in the predictive fashion in vivo.

[0059] In one embodiment of the invention a DNA construct (vector, plasmid) is generated encoding for a CAR as disclosed herein, e.g. for a CEA-CAR with IL-12 module. The construction of such expression vectors can be performed by recombinant methods well known in the art. Alternatively, the nucleic acid sequences can be produced synthetically.

[0060] The DNA or RNA construct (nucleic acid molecule(s)) encoding the CAR of the invention can be transfected or transduced into a host cell by methods well known in the art (e.g. viral-based systems, physical methods, biological methods, chemical methods). Regardless the methods used to integrate, preferentially stably integrate, the DNA encoding the CAR of the invention, in the host cell, as a result the host cell expresses a CAR which harbors a cytokine receptor activating or blocking domain in its extracellular part.

[0061] In one embodiment of the invention the CAR which harbors a cytokine receptor activating or blocking domain in its extracellular part is expressed in immune cells or immune cell subsets.

[0062] In one embodiment of the invention the CAR which harbors a cytokine receptor activating or blocking domain in its extracellular part is expressed in T cells or T cell subsets.

[0063] In one embodiment of the invention the CAR which harbors a cytokine receptor activating or blocking domain in its extracellular part is expressed in NK cells or NK cell subsets.

[0064] In one embodiment of the invention an engineered cell expressing a CAR which harbors a cytokine receptor activating or blocking domain in its extracellular part is isolated (enriched or separated) after the transfection/transduction process for generating such an engineered CAR cell from non-transfected/transduced cells by methods well known in the art, e.g. fluorescent based separating technologies such as FACS^® or magnetic cell separation methods such as MACS^®. Generally, the immune cells, preferentially T cells for generating engineered cells expressing the CAR of the invention may be obtained from a subject. Immune cells, preferentially T cells, can be obtained from a variety of sources such as peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PMBCs), bone marrow, lymph node tissue, cord blood or thymus tissue. For enrichment of these cells methods well known in the art can be used such as centrifugation through a Ficoll^™ or PERCOLL^™ gradient or positive/negative selection techniques such as fluorescent sorting (e.g. FCASsort) or magnetic sorting (e.g. MACS^®).

[0065] Exemplary, T cells of a blood sample of a subject are magnetically labelled, for example with a magnetic bead coupled to antibodies specific for CD4 and for CD8, respectively, washed, magnetically enriched and collected. Then these T cells may be engineered to express the CAR which harbors a cytokine receptor activating or blocking domain in its extracellular part on their cell surface.

[0066] In one embodiment of the invention the isolated/enriched engineered T cells expressing the CAR which harbors a cytokine receptor activating or blocking domain in its extracellular part prior or after genetic modification can be activated and expanded to increase the number of engineered T cells using methods well known in the art, for example polyclonal stimulation with anti-CD3/anti-CD28 beads or TransAct T Cell Reagents (Miltenyi Biotec; EP2711418A1). Preferentially, said number of engineered T cells is increased to a therapeutically effective amount.

[0067] In one embodiment of the invention a cell expressing the CAR of the invention is engineered by a RNA encoding the CAR of the invention. The RNA can be transfected or transduced into a host cell by methods well known in the art (e.g. viral-based systems, physical methods, biological methods, chemical methods). In general, such an "RNA-engineered cell" is disclosed in detail in WO2013/040557. Regardless the methods used to transfer the RNA encoding the CAR of the invention into the host cell, as a result the host cell expresses a CAR which harbors a cytokine receptor activating or blocking domain in its extracellular part. "RNA-engineered cells" express the CAR for a limited time (transient expression).

[0068] In one embodiment of the invention the genetically modified cells expressing the CAR which harbors a cytokine receptor activating or blocking domain in its extracellular part, preferentially T cells, are generated in an automated process in a closed system. A process for the generation of genetically modified cells, preferentially T cells, comprises e.g. the steps:

a) providing a cell sample

b) preparation of the cell sample by centrifugation

c) magnetic separation of the cells, preferentially T cells,

d) activation of the enriched cells, preferentially T cells, using modulatory agents

e) genetically modifying the cells, preferentially T cells, to express the CAR of the invention

f) expansion of the genetically modified cells, preferentially T cells, in a cultivation chamber

g) washing of the cultured cells, preferentially T cells.

[0069] All these steps may be performed in a closed system, preferentially in a closed and sterile system.

[0070] The process is especially suited for preparing gene modified cells, preferentially T cells, wherein the enriched cells, preferentially T cells, are gene modified by using viral and/or non-viral vectors.

[0071] Any of these steps may be multiplied, omitted or may occur in a different order.

[0072] The modulatory agents may be selected from agonistic antibodies and / or cytokines.

[0073] The gene-modified cells, preferentially T cells, may be enriched by magnetic labelling of cells and magnetic separation before or after cultivation to obtain higher frequency of gene-modified cells, preferentially T cells, in the final cellular product.

[0074] As closed and sterile system for cell modification, the fully automated cell processing device CliniMACS Prodigy^® and associated tubing sets (Miltenyi Biotec GmbH, Germany) may be used (WO2009/072003). This closed system meets the requirements of GMP-grade processing of almost any kind of cellular products and may allow reducing clean room requirements, improve technology transfer and harmonization of cell manufacturing processes.

[0075] In one embodiment of the invention the CAR which harbors a cytokine receptor activating or blocking domain in its extracellular part is used for the treatment in a subject having a disease, disorder or condition associated with an antigen which can specifically be bound by the antigen binding domain of the CAR of the invention.

[0076] In one embodiment of the invention the CAR of the invention is for use in the treatment of cancer in a subject suffering from cancer. Immune cells, e.g. T cells of a subject, are isolated or established immune cell lines are used. The subject may suffer from said cancer or may be a healthy subject. These cells are genetically modified in vitro to express the CAR of the invention. These engineered cells may be activated and expanded in vitro. In cellular therapy these engineered cells are infused to a recipient in need thereof. These cells may be a pharmaceutical composition. The infused cells in the recipient may be able to kill (or at least stop growth of) cancerous cells expressing the antigen which is recognized by the antigen binding domain of the CAR of the invention. The recipient may be the same subject from which the cells were obtained (autologous cell therapy) or may be from another subject of the same species (allogeneic cell therapy).

[0077] In one embodiment of the invention the subject suffering from cancer may be treated with the pharmaceutical composition of the invention together with an immune modulatory agent, such as but not limited to Rapamycin or cell activation checkpoint targeting drugs.

[0078] In one embodiment of the invention the subject may be treated additionally (simultaneously or subsequently) with classic chemotherapy. Classic chemotherapeutic agents suited to treat cancers are well known in the art.

[0079] The immune cells, preferentially T cells engineered to express a CAR which harbors a cytokine receptor activating domain in its extracellular part may be administered either alone, or as a pharmaceutical composition in combination with diluents and/or with other components or cell populations. Briefly, pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention may comprise a cell population of genetically modified cells as described herein, in combination with one or more pharmaceutically or physiologically acceptable carriers, diluents or excipients. Such compositions may comprise buffers such as neutral buffered saline, phosphate buffered saline and the like; carbohydrates such as glucose, mannose, sucrose or dextrans, mannitol; proteins; polypeptides or amino acids such as glycine; antioxidants; chelating agents such as EDTA or glutathione; adjuvants (e.g., aluminum hydroxide); and preservatives.

[0080] Preferentially, the compositions of the present invention are formulated for intravenous administration. The administration of cell compositions (population of cells) to the subject may be carried out in any convenient manner known in the art.

[0081] Pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention may be administered in a manner appropriate to the disease to be treated. Appropriate dosages may be determined by clinical trials. But the quantity and frequency of administration will also be determined and influenced by such factors as the condition of the patient, and the type and severity of the patient's disease.

[0082] A pharmaceutical composition comprising the immune cells, preferentially T cells disclosed herein may be administered at a dosage of 10⁴ to 10⁹ cells/kg body weight, preferably 10⁵ to 10⁶ cells/kg body weight. The cell compositions may also be administered several times at these dosages. The compositions of cells may be injected directly into a tumor, lymph node, or site of infection.

[0083] The cells may be activated and expanded to therapeutic effective amounts using methods known in the art.

[0084] The cells of the invention may be used in combination with e.g. chemotherapy, radiation, immunomodulatory agents, antibodies or antibody therapies.

Definitions

[0085] Unless defined otherwise, technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs.

[0086] In general, a CAR may comprise an extracellular domain (extracellular part) comprising the antigen binding domain, a transmembrane domain and an intracellular signaling domain. The extracellular domain may be linked to the transmembrane domain by a linker. The extracellular domain may also comprise a signal peptide. The extracellular part of the CAR of the present invention also comprises a cytokine receptor activating or blocking domain as disclosed herein.

[0087] A "signal peptide" refers to a peptide sequence that directs the transport and localization of the protein within a cell, e.g. to a certain cell organelle (such as the endoplasmic reticulum) and/or the cell surface.

[0088] An "antigen binding domain" refers to the region of the CAR that specifically binds to an antigen (and thereby is able to target a cell containing the antigen). The CARs of the invention may comprise one or more antigen binding domains. Generally, the targeting regions on the CAR are extracellular. The antigen binding domain may comprise an antibody or a fragment thereof. The antigen binding domain may comprise, for example, full length heavy chain, Fab fragments, single chain Fv (scFv) fragments, divalent single chain antibodies or diabodies. Any molecule that binds specifically to a given antigen such as affibodies or ligand binding domains from naturally occurring receptors may be used as an antigen binding domain. Often the antigen binding domain is a scFv. Normally, in a scFv the variable regions of an immunoglobulin heavy chain and light chain are fused by a flexible linker to form a scFv. Such a linker may be for example the "(G₄/S₁)₃-linker".

[0089] In some instances, it is beneficial for the antigen binding domain to be derived from the same species in which the CAR will be used in. For example, when it is planned to use it therapeutically in humans, it may be beneficial for the antigen binding domain of the CAR to comprise a human or humanized antibody or fragment thereof. Human or humanized antibodies or fragments thereof can be made by a variety of methods well known in the art.

[0090] "Spacer" or "hinge" as used herein refers to the hydrophilic region which is between the antigen binding domain and the transmembrane domain. The CARs of the invention may comprise an extracellular spacer domain but is it also possible to pass such a spacer. The spacer may include Fc fragments of antibodies or fragments thereof, hinge regions of antibodies or fragments thereof, CH2 or CH3 regions of antibodies, accessory proteins, artificial spacer sequences or combinations thereof. A prominent example of a spacer is the CD8alpha hinge.

[0091] The transmembrane domain of the CAR can be derived from any desired natural or synthetic source for such domain. When the source is natural the domain may be derived from any membrane-bound or transmembrane protein. The transmembrane domain may be derived for example from CD8alpha or CD28. When the key signaling and antigen recognition modules are on two (or even more) polypeptides as described above then the CAR may have two (or more) transmembrane domains. The splitting key signaling and antigen recognition modules enables for a small molecule-dependent, titratable and reversible control over CAR cell expression (Wu et al, 2015, Science 350: 293-303) due to small molecule-dependent heterodimerizing domains in each polypeptide of the CAR.

[0092] The cytoplasmic domain or the intracellular signaling domain of the CAR is responsible for activation of at least one of the normal effector functions of the immune cell in which the CAR is expressed. "Effector function" means a specialized function of a cell, e.g. in a T cell an effector function may be cytolytic activity or helper activity including the secretion of cytokines. The intracellular signaling domain refers to the part of a protein which transduces the effector function signal and directs the cell expressing the CAR to perform a specialized function. The intracellular signaling domain may include any complete, mutated or truncated part of the intracellular signaling domain of a given protein sufficient to transduce a signal which initiates or blocks immune cell effector functions.

[0093] Prominent examples of intracellular signaling domains for use in the CARs include the cytoplasmic signaling sequences of the T cell receptor (TCR) and co-receptors that initiate signal transduction following antigen receptor engagement.

[0094] Generally, T cell activation can be mediated by two distinct classes of cytoplasmic signaling sequences, firstly those that initiate antigen-dependent primary activation through the TCR (primary cytoplasmic signaling sequences) and secondly those that act in an antigen-independent manner to provide a secondary or co- stimulatory signal (secondary cytoplasmic signaling sequences, co-stimulatory signaling domain). Therefore, an intracellular signaling domain of a CAR may comprise a primary cytoplasmic signaling domain and/or a secondary cytoplasmic signaling domain.

[0095] Primary cytoplasmic signaling sequences that act in a stimulatory manner may contain ITAMs (immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motifs signaling motifs).

[0096] Examples of ITAM containing primary cytoplasmic signaling sequences often used in CARs are that are those derived from TCR zeta (CD3 zeta), FcR gamma, FcR beta, CD3 gamma , CD3 delta , CD3 epsilon, CD5, CD22, CD79a, CD79b, and CD66d. Most prominent is sequence derived from CD3 zeta.

[0097] The cytoplasmic domain of the CAR can be designed to comprise the CD3-zeta signaling domain by itself or combined with any other desired cytoplasmic domain(s). The cytoplasmic domain of the CAR can comprise a CD3 zeta chain portion and a co-stimulatory signaling region. The co-stimulatory signaling region refers to a part of the CAR comprising the intracellular domain of a co-stimulatory molecule. A co-stimulatory molecule is a cell surface molecule other than an antigen receptor or their ligands that is required for an efficient response of lymphocytes to an antigen. Examples for a co-stimulatory molecule are CD27, CD28, 4-1BB (CD137), OX40, CD30, CD40, PD-1, ICOS, lymphocyte function-associated antigen- 1 (LFA-1), CD2, CD7, LIGHT, NKG2C, B7-H3.

[0098] The cytoplasmic signaling sequences within the cytoplasmic signaling part of the CAR may be linked to each other with or without a linker in a random or specified order. A short oligo- or polypeptide linker, which is preferably between 2 and 10 amino acids in length, may form the linkage. A prominent linker is the glycine-serine doublet.

[0099] As an example, the cytoplasmic domain may comprise the signaling domain of CD3-zeta and the signaling domain of CD28. In another example the cytoplasmic domain may comprise the signaling domain of CD3-zeta and the signaling domain of CD27. In a further example, the cytoplasmic domain may comprise the signaling domain of CD3-zeta, the signaling domain of CD28, and the signaling domain of CD27.

[0100] As aforementioned either the extracellular part or the transmembrane domain or the cytoplasmic domain of a CAR may also comprise a heterodimerizing domain for the aim of splitting key signaling and antigen recognition modules of the CAR.

[0101] The CAR of the invention (the CAR comprising a cytokine receptor activating or blocking domain) may be designed to comprise any portion or part of the above-mentioned domains as described herein in any combination resulting to a functional CAR. Exemplary the CAR of the invention may have the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID No:3.

[0102] The CAR of the invention may be a CAR with at least dual specificity, comprising an extracellular part, at least one intracellular signaling domain, and at least one transmembrane domain, wherein the extracellular part of said CAR comprises a) at least one antigen binding domain, and b) at least one cytokine receptor activating domain or blocking, wherein said at least one antigen binding domain is specific for an antigen of a target cell (first specificity), and wherein said at least one cytokine receptor activating or blocking domain is specific for a cytokine receptor (second specificity) which is not said antigen.

[0103] The CAR of the invention which harbors at least one cytokine receptor activating or blocking domain, e.g. at least one cytokine of interest, as an module in the extracellular part of the CAR is a trans-activating CAR. The trans-activating CAR, when expressed on the surface of white blood cells, e.g. T cells direct trans-activity of those cells against target cells expressing the antigen which is recognized by said at least one antigen binding domain of the trans-activating CAR.

[0104] Trans-activity means the characteristics of the CAR of the invention, that the CAR of the invention comprises at least one domain, i.e. the cytokine receptor activating or blocking domain, that, when expressed on the surface of white blood cells, triggers an activity on the target cell, on the white blood cell expressing said CAR or on another cell, wherein said triggered activity is independent from the binding of the antigen of the target cell by the antigen binding receptor of said CAR. Said triggered activity may be the activation of a cytokine receptor resulting for example in a release of the given cytokine (when said domain is a cytokine receptor activating domain) or may be the blocking of a cytokine receptor resulting for example in a decrease or inhibition of the release of a given cytokine (when said domain is a cytokine receptor blocking domain). The effects of the trans-activity may be further influenced when two or more cytokine receptor activating or blocking domains are used in the CAR of the invention. A CAR with for example two identical cytokine receptor activating or blocking domains may enhance the effects of trans-activity. A CAR with for example two different cytokine receptor activating or blocking domains may diversify the effects of trans-activity as each cytokine receptor activating or blocking domain of such a CAR may trigger different activities on the target cell, on the white blood cell expressing said CAR or on another cell.

[0105] Cytokines are a broad and loose category of small proteins (∼5-20 kDa) that are important in cell signaling. They are released by cells and affect the behavior of other cells. Cytokines include chemokines, interferons, interleukins, lymphokines, and tumour necrosis factor. Cytokines are produced by a broad range of cells, including immune cells like macrophages, B lymphocytes, T lymphocytes and mast cells, as well as endothelial cells, fibroblasts, and various stromal cells; a given cytokine may be produced by more than one type of cell.

[0106] They act through receptors, and are especially important in the immune system; cytokines modulate the balance between humoral and cell-based immune responses, and they regulate the maturation, growth, and responsiveness of particular cell populations. Some cytokines enhance or inhibit the action of other cytokines in complex ways. They are important in health and disease, specifically in host responses to infection, immune responses, inflammation, trauma, sepsis, cancer, and reproduction.

[0107] Each cytokine has a matching cell-surface receptor. Subsequent cascades of intracellular signaling then alter cell functions. This may include the up-regulation and/or down-regulation of several genes and their transcription factors, resulting in the production of other cytokines, an increase in the number of surface receptors for other molecules, or the suppression of their own effect by feedback inhibition

[0108] The effect of a particular cytokine on a given cell depends on the cytokine, its concentration, the presence of the complementary receptor on the cell surface, and downstream signals activated by receptor binding; these last two factors can vary by cell type.

[0109] Interleukin 12 (IL-12) is a cytokine that is naturally produced by dendritic cells, macrophages, neutrophils, and human B-lymphoblastoid cells (NC-37) in response to antigenic stimulation.

[0110] It is a heterodimeric cytokine encoded by two separate genes, IL-12A (p35) and IL-12B (p40). The active heterodimer (referred to as 'p70'), and a homodimer of p40 are formed following protein synthesis. IL-12 is involved in the differentiation of naive T cells into Th1 cells. It is known as a T cell-stimulating factor, which can stimulate the growth and function of T cells. It stimulates the production of interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) from T cells and natural killer (NK) cells, and reduces IL-4 mediated suppression of IFN-γ. T cells that produce IL-12 have a co-receptor, CD30, which is associated with IL-12 activity. IL-12 plays an important role in the activities of natural killer cells and T lymphocytes. IL-12 mediates enhancement of the cytotoxic activity of NK cells and CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes.

[0111] IL-12 binds to the IL-12 receptor, which is a heterodimeric receptor formed by IL-12R-β1 and IL-12R-β2. IL-12R-β2 is considered to play a key role in IL-12 function, since it is found on activated T cells.

[0112] The term "cytokine receptor activating or blocking domain" as used herein refers to an amino acid sequence which is part of the CAR as disclosed herein that is able to bind to and either activates or blocks a cytokine receptor. The cytokine receptor activating domain may be a cytokine agonist. The activation of a particular cytokine receptor by a matching cytokine receptor activating domain of a CAR leads to the activation of the given downstream signals inherent to said cytokine receptor. The amino acid sequence of a cytokine receptor activating domain may comprise the full-length amino acid sequence of a cytokine or may comprise a sequence having a sequence identity of at least 70%, or at least 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 97%, 98% or 99% at the amino acid sequence level to said cytokine. In the context of the present invention, "sequence identity" may be determined using pairwise alignments using alignments programs for amino acid sequences well known to the art.

[0113] But the amino acid sequence of a cytokine receptor activating domain can also be a variant of a cytokine which has some amino acids deleted, added, replaced or arranged in another order than the natural cyotkine while still retaining the function of the natural full-length cytokine. The amino acid sequence of a cytokine receptor activating domain can also be a functional fragment of a full-length cytokine or a fragment of a full length cytokine having a sequence identity of at least 70%, or at least 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 97%, 98% or 99% at the amino acid sequence level to said cytokine. In this context "functional" means that the fragment is able to bind to and activate the cytokine receptor in a sufficient manner to lead to the activation of the given downstream signals inherent to said cytokine receptor. Preferentially, the cytokine receptor activating domain may be an amino acid sequence of a cytokine or fragment thereof which can bind to and activates a cytokine receptor.

[0114] The cytokine receptor blocking domain may be a cytokine antagonist. The blocking or inhibition of a particular cytokine receptor by a matching cytokine receptor blocking domain of a CAR leads to the blocking and/or inhibition of the given downstream signals inherent to said cytokine receptor. The amino acid sequence of a cytokine receptor blocking domain can be a variant of a cytokine which has some amino acids deleted, added, replaced or arranged in another order than the natural cytokine thereby losing the function of said natural cytokine to activate the matching cytokine receptor but saving the function of said natural cytokine to bind to the matching cytokine receptor. The amino acid sequence of a cytokine receptor blocking domain can also be a non-functional fragment of a full-length cytokine or a fragment of a full length cytokine having a sequence identity of at least 70%, or at least 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 97%, 98% or 99% at the amino acid sequence level to said cytokine. In this context "non-functional" means that the fragment is able to bind to and but does not activate the cytokine receptor in a sufficient manner to lead to the activation of the given downstream signals inherent to said cytokine receptor.

[0115] The term "antigen" refers to a molecular entity that may be soluble or cell membrane bound in particular but not restricted to molecular entities that can be recognized by means of the adaptive immune system including but not restricted to antibodies or TCRs, or engineered molecules including but not restricted to transgenic TCRs, CARs, scFvs or multimers thereof, Fab-fragments or multimers thereof, antibodies or multimers thereof, single chain antibodies or multimers thereof, or any other molecule that can execute binding to a structure with high affinity. Tumor antigens may be classified into two categories based on their pattern of expression: Tumor-Specific Antigens (TSA), which are present only on tumor cells and not on any other cell and Tumor-Associated Antigens (TAA), which are present on some tumor cells and also some normal cells.

[0116] The term "target cells" as used herein refers to cells which express the antigen on their cell surface which should be recognized (bound) by an antigen binding domain of the CAR.

[0117] Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA; CD66e) describes a set of highly related glycoproteins involved in cell adhesion. CEA is produced in gastrointestinal tissue during fetal development, and is present on the luminal site of gastrointestinal and lung epithelia of adults. Soluble CEA is found in the sera of healthy individuals and increases during inflammation and malignant diseases, in particular in patients with adenocarcinoma of the gastrointestinal tract, mammary, ovary and others.

[0118] The CARs (polypeptide(s)), the nucleic acid molecule(s) encoding the CARs, recombinant expression vectors, cells expressing the CARs, and populations of cells expressing the CARs, and can be isolated and/or purified. For example, a purified (or isolated) cell preparation is one in which the cell is more pure than cells in their natural environment within the body. Such cells may be produced, for example, by standard purification techniques, e.g. cell magnetic separation methods such as MACS^® (Miltenyi Biotec GmbH, Germany) or flow cytometric separation methods such as FACS^® (Beckton Dickinson).

[0119] In some embodiments, a preparation of a cell is purified such that the cell represents at least about 50%, for example at least about 70%, of the total cell content of the preparation. For example, the purity can be at least about 50%, can be greater than about 60%, about 70% or about 80%, or can be about 100%.

[0120] The term "tumor" is known medically as a neoplasm. Not all tumors are cancerous; benign tumors do not invade neighboring tissues and do not spread throughout the body.

[0121] The term "cancer" is known medically as a malignant neoplasm. Cancer is a broad group of diseases involving unregulated cell growth and includes all kinds of leukemia. In cancer, cells (cancerous cells) divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invading nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the body through the lymphatic system or bloodstream. There are over 200 different known cancers that affect humans.

[0122] The terms "Chemotherapy" or "chemotherapeutic treatment" refer to the treatment of cancer (cancerous cells) with one or more cytotoxic anti-neoplastic drugs ("chemotherapeutic agents" or "chemotherapeutic drugs") as part of a standardized regimen. Chemotherapy may be given with a curative intent or it may aim to prolong life or to palliate symptoms. It is often used in conjunction with other cancer treatments, such as radiation therapy, surgery, and/or hyperthermia therapy. Traditional chemotherapeutic agents act by killing cells that divide rapidly, one of the main properties of most cancer cells. This means that chemotherapy also harms cells that divide rapidly under normal circumstances: cells in the bone marrow, digestive tract, and hair follicles. This results in the most common side-effects of chemotherapy: myelosuppression (decreased production of blood cells, hence also immunosuppression), mucositis (inflammation of the lining of the digestive tract), and alopecia (hair loss).

[0123] Some newer anticancer drugs (for example, various monoclonal antibodies or engineered cells like those of the present invention) are not indiscriminately cytotoxic, but rather target proteins that are abnormally expressed in cancer cells and that are essential for their growth. Such treatments are often referred to as "targeted therapy" (as distinct from classic chemotherapy) and are often used alongside traditional chemotherapeutic agents in antineoplastic treatment regimens. Immunotherapy is a medical term defined as the "treatment of disease by inducing, enhancing, or suppressing an immune response". Immunotherapies designed to elicit or amplify an immune response are classified as activation immunotherapies, while immunotherapies that reduce or suppress are classified as suppression immunotherapies. Cancer immunotherapy as an activating immunotherapy attempts to stimulate the immune system to reject and destroy tumors. Adoptive cell transfer uses cell-based, preferentially T cell-based cytotoxic responses to attack cancer cells (cellular therapy). T cells that have a natural or genetically engineered reactivity to a patient's cancer are generated in vitro and then transferred back into the cancer patient.

[0124] The term "treatment" as used herein means to reduce the frequency or severity of at least one sign or symptom of a disease.

[0125] The term "biomarker" or "marker" is widespread in the art and may broadly denote a biological molecule and/or a detectable portion thereof (e.g. a nucleic acid, a peptide or a lipid such as a glycolipid) whose qualitative and/or quantitative evaluation in an subject is predictive or informative (e.g., predictive, diagnostic and/or prognostic) with respect to one or more aspects of the individual's phenotype and/or genotype, such as, for example, with respect to the status of the individual.

[0126] As used herein, the term "subject" refers to an animal. Preferentially, the subject is a mammal such as mouse, rat, cow, pig, goat, chicken dog, monkey or human. More preferentially, the individual is a human. The subject may be a subject suffering from a disease such as cancer (a patient), but the subject may be also a healthy subject.

[0127] The term "autologous" as used herein refers to any material derived from the same subject to who it is later re-introduced.

[0128] The term "allogeneic" as used herein refers to any material derived from a different subject of the same species as the subject to who the material is re-introduced.

[0129] The term "therapeutically effective amount" means an amount which provides a therapeutic benefit in a subject.

[0130] The terms "specifically binds" or "specific for" with respect to an antigen-binding domain of an antibody, of a fragment thereof or of a CAR refer to an antigen-binding domain which recognizes and binds to a specific antigen, but does not substantially recognize or bind other molecules in a sample. An antigen-binding domain that binds specifically to an antigen from one species may bind also to that antigen from another species. This cross-species reactivity is not contrary to the definition of that antigen-binding domain as specific. An antigen-binding domain that specifically binds to an antigen may bind also to different allelic forms of the antigen (allelic variants, splice variants, isoforms etc.). This cross reactivity is not contrary to the definition of that antigen-binding domain as specific.

[0131] The terms "engineered cell" and "genetically modified cell" as used herein can be used interchangeably. The terms mean containing and/or expressing a foreign gene or nucleic acid sequence which in turn modifies the genotype or phenotype of the cell or its progeny. Especially, the terms refer to the fact that cells, preferentially T cells can be manipulated by recombinant methods well known in the art to express stably or transiently peptides or proteins which are not expressed in these cells in the natural state. For example T cells are engineered to express an artificial construct such as a chimeric antigen receptor on their cell surface. For example, the CAR sequences may be delivered into cells using a retroviral or lentiviral vector.

[0132] The term "immune cell" or "immune effector cell" refers to a cell that may be part of the immune system and executes a particular effector function such as alpha-beta T cells, NK cells, NKT cells, B cells, innate lymphoid cells (ILC), cytokine induced killer (CIK) cells, lymphokine activated killer (LAK) cells, gamma-delta T cells, mesenchymal stem cells or mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC), monocytes or macrophages. Preferred immune cells are cells with cytotoxic effector function such as alpha-beta T cells, NK cells, NKT cells, ILC, CIK cells, LAK cells or gamma-delta T cells. "Effector function" means a specialized function of a cell, e.g. in a T cell an effector function may be cytolytic activity or helper activity including the secretion of cytokines.

[0133] The term "closed system" as used herein refers to any closed system which reduces the risk of

[0134] cell culture contamination while performing culturing processes such as the introduction of new material and performing cell culturing steps such as proliferation, differentiation, activation, genetic modification and/or separation of cells. Such a system allows to operate under GMP or GMP-like conditions ("sterile") resulting in cell compositions which are clinically applicable.

[0135] An example for a closed system is the CliniMACS Prodigy^® (Miltenyi Biotec GmbH, Germany, WO2009/072003).

[0136] The terms "automated method" or "automated process" as used herein refer to any process being automated through the use of devices and/or computers and computer software which otherwise would or could be performed manually by an operator. Methods (processes) that have been automated require less human intervention and less human time to deliver. In some instances a method is automated if at least one step of the method is performed without any human support or intervention. Preferentially the method is automated if all steps of the method are performed without human support or intervention.

[0137] This invention is further illustrated by the following examples, which are not to be construed in any way as imposing limitations upon the scope thereof.

Examples

Example 1: Expression of the CAR with IL-12 receptor activating domain (hereafter: IL12-CAR) in T cell subsets.

[0138] Engraftment of peripheral T cells with IL12-CAR.

[0139] T cells were Ficoll isolated from peripheral blood, activated in presence of agonistic anti-CD3 and anti-CD28 antibodies ( 100 ng/ml each) and 500 U/ml IL2, respectively. Activated T cells were transduced retrovirally with a vector encoding the IL12-CAR or a CAR without IL12 receptor activating domain (FIG 1) according to standard operation protocol. The antibody-derived antigen binding domain of both CARs is directed against the CEA tumor antigen. Transduced T cells were stained with anti-CD3 mAb and an anti-human IgG antibody to monitor CAR expression (FIG 2). The IL12-CAR was expressed in peripheral T cells with similar efficiency than the CAR without IL12 receptor activating domain.

[0140] IL12-CAR is expressed in different T cell subsets.

[0141] Peripheral T cells were transduced with the IL12-CAR as described above. CAR expression in CD4 and CD8 T cells was monitored utilizing anti-CD4 and anti-CD8 antibodies, respectively, and an anti-human IgG Fc antibody for monitoring CAR expression (FIG 3). We detected high numbers of CD4 and CD8 T cells with expression of the IL12-CAR. In contrast to the CAR without IL12 receptor activating domain that was more efficiently expressed in CD8+ T cells the IL12-CAR was expressed in CD4+ and CD8+ T cell subsets with similar efficiency.

Conclusion:

[0142] The IL12-CAR is efficiently expressed in primary peripheral T cells. Thereby the IL12- CAR is expressed in CD4 and CD8 T cells with similar efficiency indicating that both T cell subsets can be redirected against target cells by the IL12-CAR.

Example 2: IL12-CAR induces a CD56+CD62L + phenotype of engineered T cells.

[0143] T cells were Ficoll isolated from peripheral blood, activated in presence of agonistic anti-CD3 and anti-CD28 mAbs (100 ng/ml each) and 500 U/ml IL, respectively. Activated T cells were retrovirally transduced with a vector encoding the IL12-CAR or CAR without cytokine receptor activating domain for control according to standard operation protocol. Transduced T cells were cultivated for 9 d and stained with anti-CD3, anti-CD56, and anti-CD62L antibodies (FIG 4). The IL12-CAR induced preferentially a CD56+CD62L+ phenotype in the IL12-CAR T cell population.

Conclusion:

[0144] The phenotype of IL12-CAR transduced T cells resemble the phenotype of IL12 maturated NK/NKT cells that were reported to acquire an improved therapeutic potential (Lehman D et al., PLoS One 9, e87131, 2014)

Example 3: IL12-CAR signaling results in improved IFN-gamma secretion.

[0145] IFN-gamma secretion is substantial for an efficient anti-tumor response of adoptively transferred CAR T cells. Accordingly, a CAR with high IFN-gamma inducing capability will be valuable for clinical application. To test IFN-gamma secretion properties of IL12-CAR T cells from the peripheral blood were isolated and transduced to express the IL12-CAR and for comparison a CAR without cytokine receptor binding domain as described above. CAR T cells were co-cultivated with CEA+ LS174T and CEA- Colo320 tumor cells, respectively, for 48 h and IFN-gamma secretion was recorded by ELISA. T cells expressing the IL12-CAR secreted substantial more IFN-gamma upon antigen encounter than T cells with the CAR without IL12-receptor activating domain (FIG 5). Moreover, IL12-CAR T cells secrete even in absence of antigen IFN-gamma that will modulate the tumor environment to become more susceptible for a cellular immune attack.

Conclusion:

[0146] The IL12-CAR has improved cytokine secretion properties due to synergistic signaling via the CAR-signaling domain and the IL12 receptor activating domain. The improved secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines will reprogram the tumor microenvironment recruiting thereby additional adoptive and innate anti-tumor reactivity.

Example 4: IL12-CAR improves tumor cell killing.

[0147] T cells from the peripheral blood were engineered to express the IL12-CAR or for comparison with wild type CAR without cytokine receptor activating domain. CAR T cells were co-cultivated (0.625x10(4)-5x10(4)/well) with CEA+ LS174T and hard to kill Skov3 tumor cells, respectively, or CEA- Colo320 tumor cells (each 2.5 x 10(4)/well) for 48 h. Tumor cell viability was recorded by a tetrazolium-salt based XTT-assay and percent cytotoxicity was calculated as follows: cytotoxicity [%] = 100-viabilty [%]. Whereas T cells with wild type CAR and IL12-CAR, respectively, lysed CEA+ LS174T tumor cells with similar efficiency, IL12-CAR T cells killed Skov3 tumor cells with much higher efficiency than CAR T cells without IL12 receptor activating domain (FIG 6). In contrast, CEA- tumor cells were not killed by CAR T cells indicating antigen-specificity of the CAR. Improved killing of Skov3 tumor cells was partly due to simultaneous signaling via the CAR and the IL12 receptor activating domain because stimulation of the wild type CAR with an anti-idiotypic antibody against the CAR binding domain and exogenous IL12 improved killing of Skov3 cells by CAR T cells without IL12 receptor activating domain. Surprisingly, the IL12-CAR was still more effective and additional stimulation via exogenous IL12 and the anti-idiotypic antibody did not further enhance killing of Skov3 cells (FIG 7).

Conclusion:

[0148] The IL12-CAR improved target cell killing especially of tumor cells that were less susceptible for a T cells attack like Skov3 ovarian tumor cells. On the other hand improved killing properties of IL12-CAR T cells did not result in overall non-specific killing of target cells as demonstrated by co-cultivation with CEA- Colo320 tumor cells. Since improved cytolytic anti-tumor activity was not induced by simultaneous application of an agonistic ligand for the antigen binding domain of the CAR and the IL12 receptor, respectively, we conclude that improved targeting of Skov tumor cells by the IL12-CAR is due to intrinsic properties of the modified IL12-CAR itself and not solely to the combination of different T cell activating agents.

Example 5: IL12 CAR mediated T cell activation is superior to CAR T cell activation and simultaneous IL2 and IL12 stimulation.

[0149] IL2 and IL12 enhance synergistically the function of T cells against tumor cells. We tested simultaneous application of exogenous IL2 and IL12 on target cell lysis of IL12-CAR and CAR T cells, respectively, against Skov3 tumor cells. We found no impact of exogenous IL2 and IL12 on CAR mediated lysis of Skov3 cells. Moreover, IL12-CAR T cells demonstrated superior lysis of Skov3 cells compared to CAR T cells irrespective of the presence or absence of exogenous IL2 or IL12 or both IL2 and IL12, respectively (FIG 8).

Conclusion:

[0150] IL12-CAR induces superior cytolysis of Skov3 tumor cells that is not modulated by exogenous pro-inflammatory cytokines like IL2 and IL12 or the combination of both. Improved target cell lysis appears moreover to be due to intrinsic properties of the IL12-CAR.

Example 6: IL12 CAR T cells inhibit in vivo growth of established Skov3 tumors in immune deficient Rag-/- common gamma -/- mice.

[0151] T cells were engineered to express IL12-CAR and CAR without IL12 receptor activating domain according to SOP and CAR expression was monitored by FACS. Rag-/- common gamma -/- mice were engrafted with 5x10(6) Skov3 tumor cells/mouse. After 7 days a single dose of 1x10(7) total T cells per mouse were injected into tail veins of mice with established tumors. The number of CAR T cells was 14% (anti-CEA-CAR) and 9% (anti-CEA-IL12-CAR), respectively. Tumor growth was recorded every 2^nd-3^rd day and tumor volume was determined (FIG 9). Whereas the CAR-modified T cells and T cells without CAR were not effective in suppression of tumor growth, IL12-CAR T cells inhibit growth of Skov3 tumors substantially.

Conclusion:

[0152] IL12-CAR T cells suppressed tumor growth of Skov3 cells indicating sustained anti-tumor reactivity in vivo.

Claims

1. A chimeric antigen receptor (CAR), comprising an extracellular part, at least one intracellular signaling domain, and at least one transmembrane domain, wherein the extracellular part of said CAR comprises

a) at least one antigen binding domain, and

b) at least one cytokine receptor activating or blocking domain.

2. The CAR according to claim 1, wherein said at least one cytokine receptor activating or blocking domain is a cytokine receptor activating domain.

3. The CAR according to claim 2, wherein said at least one cytokine receptor activating domain activates the interleukin-12 (IL-12) receptor.

4. The CAR according to claim 3, wherein said at least one cytokine receptor activating domain is the single chain p35-p40 protein of IL-12.

5. The CAR according to claim 1 , wherein said at least one cytokine receptor activating or blocking domain is between the at least one antigen binding domain and the at least one transmembrane domain of said CAR.

6. The CAR according to any one of the claims 1 to 5, wherein the at least one antigen of said at least one antigen binding domain is a tumor associated antigen.

7. The CAR according to claim 6, wherein said antigen is carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA).

8. The CAR according to any one of the claims 1 to 7, wherein said at least one antigen binding domain comprises at least one single chain variable fragment of an antibody that binds to the antigen.

9. The CAR according to claim 8, wherein said CAR comprises the sequence encoded by SEQ ID NO:4.

10. Isolated nucleic acid molecule(s) encoding the CAR according to claim 1 to 9.

11. A cell comprising the nucleic acid molecule(s) of claim 10.

12. A cell expressing the CAR according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

13. A pharmaceutical composition comprising cells according to claim 11 or 12.

Drawing